President Lee Launches New Year's State Affairs Drive in the "First Year of a Great Leap Forward"

First Kick-Off Ceremony Since Returning to the Blue House
On First Day in Office, President Lee Raises "Metropolitan Government Integration" Agenda

On the morning of January 2, President Lee Jaemyung held a New Year's kick-off ceremony at the State Guest House of the Blue House, marking the first step in managing state affairs for the new year. In the afternoon, he is scheduled to preside over a New Year's greeting event, exchanging well-wishes for the year ahead with figures from politics, government, and various sectors. Notably, President Lee set the tone for his administration by raising the agenda of "metropolitan area integration" on the very first official workday of the year.

Yonhap News

On this day, President Lee posted on social media under the title "After Daejeon and South Chungcheong, will it be Gwangju and South Jeolla next?" stating, "The integration of metropolitan governments, which once seemed difficult, is gradually gaining momentum." He added, "It appears that public consensus is forming around the need to overcome the current capital-centric system and open a new path for region-led growth." By mentioning the integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla following Daejeon and South Chungcheong, President Lee was signaling the administration's commitment to balanced development as a core national policy.

Typically, the presidential kick-off ceremony is used to share the administration's policy direction for the new year and to set the agenda for public officials. This year, the event is seen as particularly significant, as it marks the restart of the "Blue House era." An official from the presidential office explained, "This is the first all-staff event since returning to the Blue House, and President Lee will use the occasion to encourage the dedication and efforts of the staff." The official added, "It also serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the administration's sense of responsibility and resolve for the new year."

Since President Lee began his term directly at the Yongsan presidential office without a transition committee, this event is expected to serve as a turning point from the "seven months of recovery" to "a year of achievements and results." Last year's kick-off ceremony was held under the "acting president" system. At that time, Acting President Choi Sangmok referred to the "unprecedentedly grave situation" during the ceremony at the Government Complex Seoul. The backdrop included the declaration and subsequent lifting of the 12·3 Martial Law, the passage of the presidential impeachment bill on December 14, 2024, and the passage of the impeachment bill against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on December 27, 2024, all of which contributed to a period of "governmental vacuum."

Meanwhile, in the afternoon, President Lee will host the New Year's greeting event, presenting the administration's direction while exchanging greetings with key figures, including Cabinet members. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, will not attend. The event will be attended by National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Huidae, Constitutional Court President Kim Sanghwan, Prime Minister Kim Minseok, and National Election Commission Chairman Noh Taeak, as well as other high-ranking officials from the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Representatives from the business, labor, and religious communities will also be present. President Lee plans to highlight the "first year of a great leap forward" and "five major transformations," seeking active cooperation from all participants.

Previously, in his New Year's address on January 1, President Lee declared "the first year of Korea's great leap forward" and proposed "five major transformations" to fundamentally change the nation's growth strategy. First, he announced a plan to shift from the current capital-centric structure to a "five poles, three special zones" multipolar system led by local regions. He promised to provide more substantial support the farther a region is from the capital, investing in education, metropolitan transportation, cultural facilities, and tourism as an integrated package to create a system where the development of advanced industries directly translates into regional development.

He also emphasized a shift from growth centered on large corporations to "growth for all." President Lee pledged to ensure that national achievements, such as tariff negotiations and exports in the defense and nuclear power industries, are not concentrated among a select few but are spread to small and venture businesses as well as households. He introduced the "National Growth Fund" as a catalyst for enabling all citizens to invest in and share the fruits of growth, and outlined plans to support a transition from an employment-centered society to one focused on entrepreneurship, thereby fostering a robust ecosystem for second chances.

President Lee also proposed "growth based on safety." He directly criticized the structural issue of industrial accident fatalities by stating, "What good is a high economic growth rate if safety is lacking?" and announced plans to increase the number of labor inspectors by 2,000 and to introduce new "workplace guardians." He further pledged to expand the impact of K-content to create a virtuous industrial cycle led by culture, increasing the cultural budget to 9.6 trillion won and strengthening the cultural ecosystem, including the foundational arts.

He also stressed the importance of growth supported by peace. President Lee reaffirmed his commitment to easing inter-Korean tensions and restoring trust, supporting North Korea-U.S. dialogue as a "pacemaker" to transform the "Korea risk" into a "Korea premium." He also outlined plans to reduce growth uncertainty through strong self-reliant national defense and an evolved South Korea-U.S. alliance.

After delivering his New Year's address, President Lee visited the Seoul National Cemetery, offering flowers and incense at the Memorial Tower and paying silent tribute to the patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes. In the guestbook, he wrote, '"A world where we live together"-the first year of Korea's great leap forward, we will open it together with the people of Korea.' He was accompanied by Prime Minister Kim and other Cabinet members, ministers, and Blue House staff. After the tribute, they shared rice cake soup for breakfast at the Blue House staff cafeteria and exchanged New Year's greetings.